Storage automatic water heater



Aug. 4, 1931. v. J. EVANS STORAGE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed April 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ['1' I H Ill Aug. 4, 1931. v. J. EVANS 1,817,549

STORAGE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed April 14. 1928 '2 Sheets-Sheet z fiG. 45 T1513. 29 48 l. '36 36 H 6' Z G- 29 1 31 3 35 0 3o 3a 6 n 39 Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vINcEN'r J. EVANS, or LAKEWOOD, 01110, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAN HEATER COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF omo STORAGE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Application filed April 14,

This invention relates to gas fired liquid heaters and in particular the fuel control means'for storage automatic water heaters.

Water heaters of the above type are commonly controlled by means of a thermostatic valve that is carried by the storage tank and in contact with the liquid 'contents thereof. The main heating burner is connected to the thermostatic valve by a gas line and its operation is controlled by the thermostat in accordance with temperature of the liquid within the tank.

It is becoming common practice to equip heaters of the above type with a safety con- 15 trol that cuts off the main gas supply, in the event of extinguishment of the pilot light or 'failure of the gas supply. This arrangement necessitates the use of two large, and. relatively expensive gas valves.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an automatic fuel control that requiresfor its' operation the presence of an ignition pilot.

Another object of this invention is to con 25 tr ol the main gas supply by means of an in dependently controlled auxiliary burner.

Another object of this invention is to incooperate the ignition pilot burner in the main heating burner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thermostat which is simple and ineX- pGIlSlWe to manufacture and which positively and'completely cuts off the supply of gas whenitis in a closed position.

' A further object of this invention is to provide a greatly simplified and improved water heater and heater control, by means of which the conventional storage "water heating system may be readily converted into an automatically controlled system.

lVith the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Stated in general terms my improved control consists of a snap-acting thermostatic M safety gas valve which isadapted tobe con- 1928. Serial No. 269,952.

trolled by a relatively small graduating thermostat. The thermostat is used to control an auxiliary gas supply of relatively small flow and the thermostatic safety valve controls the gas supply to the main burner. A portion of the main burner is adapted to serve as a constantly burning pilot light.

The operation of my thermostatic safety valve is controlled by a small flame which is adapted to be ignited by the pilot burner. By this method of operation it is impossible to supply gas to the main burner unless a flame is present to ignite it. It is also possible'with this arrangement to make use of a very small, simple and compact thermostat. The advantages of this construction are, primarily, in the safety of operation which it makes possible by reason of using the flame.

that lights the burner as an indispensible link in the chain of events that occur each time gas is supplied to the main burner.

A further advantage is the elimination of a large and costly thermostat. This element is replaced by a small and relatively inexpensive thermostat.

Another advantage of this control is due to the location of the thermostat which is carried in the lower heater coil coupling, eliminating one of the tappings in the stor age tank and at the same time locating the thermostat closer to the main operating valve that it controls.

In the accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing a storage automatic water heater embodying my improved safety control. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 Fig. 1. Fig.3 is a side elevational View in section of my improved thermostat. Fig. 4 is an end elevational view partly in section, of the thermostat shown in Fig. 3. I Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational View in section, of the valve element used in my improved thermostat.

The heater shown in Fig. 1 comprises a storage tank 1 which is enclosed by an outer casing 2. The tank 1 is insulated to prevent heat losses by insulating material 3. Water heater circulating elements 4, adapted to be connected attheir upper and lower ends to the storage tank 1, are carried in the heater 5. A main heating burner 6 1s located in the lower portion of the heater 5 and is adapted to supply heat to the circulating coils 4.

The main burner 6 is formed with an independent chamber 7 that is provided with a number of outlet orifices to support the constantly burning flames 8. The flames 8 serve as pilot burners and eliminate the use of an independent burner for this purpose. The pilot burner chamber 7 is connected to a gas supply conduit 8 which is provided .with a needle valve 9 of conventional design. The needle valve is received in an opening provided in the inlet side of-the manually operable gas valve 10. A gas and air mixing tube 46 having air inlet openings 47 connects the conduit 8 with the pilot burner chamber 7. By this arrangement a. mixture of gas and air is provided which burns with a blue flame at the pilot burner ports.

The valve 10 and the needle valve 9 are connected to a source of gas supply 11. The outlet end of the valve 10 is connected to the conduit 12 which is received at the inlet end of a thermostatic safety control valve 13. The valve 13 controls the supply of gas to the main burner 6 and is connected at its outlet end to the elbow regulating valve 14 that is of conventional design and which is provided to adjust the flow of gas to a gas and air mixing tube 15, which is in communication with the burner 6. j

The thermostatic valve 13 is not described in all its details in this application as it forms the subject matter of a copending application filed by Vallace J. Snow, July 19, 1926, Serial No. 123,561 and is specifically claimed in a divisional application thereof filed by \VaL lace J. Snow, December 5, 1927, Serial No. 237,644. The valve 13 is also shown, but not specifically claimed in Patent No. 1,683,213, issued to E. J. .TePas September 4, 1928. i

The lower ends of the circulating coils 4 are received in a coupling member 16 that is connected to a fitting 17'by means of the union nut 18. The coupling member 16 is provided with a side opening 19 that is threaded for reception of the thermostatic 'valve 20. The inlet side of the thermostatic valve 20 is connected by means of a conduit 21 to the inlet side of the control valve 13 and is connected at its outlet end by means of conduit 22 to the auxiliary VahB operating burner 23. It may be advantageous in some cases, to locate the thermostaticvalve 20, in

the upper coupling in which case a coupling similar to the coupling 16 is used at this point.

The valve operating burner 23 is positioned below and adjacent to a. thermostatic strip 24, the free end of which is connected to an adjustable link 25. The link .25 is pivotally connected to snap action mechanism 26 which is operatively associated with the valve stem 27. When the burner 23 is in operation the thermostatic strip 24 cools and shifts to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, moving the valve head and the valve operating parts to the closed valve position. The burner 23 is located adjacent to the constantly b rning flames 8 and is ignited therefrom. In 'the ab sence of the flames 8 it is impossible to ignite the burner 23 and for this reason it is impossible to open the valve 13 until there is a flame present for ignition of the gas supply of the main burner 6 which this valve controls.

The operation of the valve operating burner 23 is controlled by means of the thermastatic valve 20. This valve is shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 and consists of a heat responsive, bimetallic thermostatic element 45 that is supported in the end of the tubular extension 48 of the hexagonal member 28, which member is adapted to be threadably received in the side opening 19 of the coupling 16. The thermostat 20 is provided with a valve body 29 having inlet and outlet openings 30 and 31 arranged to be connected to element 33 is provided with a central bore for reception of the valve member 35 the stem of which is shown at 36. The valve stem 36 is adapted to contact with the plunger 37 that is operated by the thermostatic strip 45. The valve parts that are carried by the member 33 are of the type commonly used in automobile tire valves forming an inexpensive unit that may be readily replaced.

This type of valve is provided with a rubber washer 38 which is adapted to contact with the sides of the member 33 and prevent the escape of gas around the element 35. The valve stem 36 is carried inside of the member 35 and is provided with a spring 39 which serves to hold the valve head 40 in closed relation with its seat 41, which is formed on the end of the member 35. The valve head 40 is provided with a rubber washer which engages the seat 41. The above referred to valve elements that are carried in the member 33 and may be moved up or down in the valve body 29 by turning the knurled head 34 of member 33. In this manner it is possible to very accurately adjust the temperature at which the thermostatic element or strip opens the"valve.

Packing means 42 are held in place around the lower end of the element 33 by means of an apertured nut 43. A cap 44 is provided as a cover for these parts of the thermostat. This thermostat is very sensitive to small temperature changes due to the fact that very little power is required for its operation and by its use it is possible to control a water heater within closer limits than has heretofore been possible.

Another and important advantage of this type of control is the simple construction and the use of conventional tire valve insides for the valve operating element of the thermostat. These elements may be purchased for a small sum in any tire shop or garage and may be readily removed and replaced after unscrewing the member 33 from the valve casing 29. i.

In the operation of the complete control the parts are assembled in the relation shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Gas is supplied to the ther mostat 20 at 30 by way of the conduit 21.

The outlet end 31 of the thermostat is conis in contact with the circulating water which is flowing through the coupling member 16 y to the coils 4.

If the water of the system is at a temperature below the temperature for which the thermostat is set it will serve to open the thermostatic valve by causing the strip 45 to depress the plunger 37 and the valve stem 36. This action moves the valve head 40 away from its valve seat 41 and admits gas to the burner 23. The burner 23 serves to heat the thermostatic strip 24 and open the valve 13 in the manner previously described. Upon the opening of valve 13 gas is supplied to the burner36 and is ignited by the pilot flames 8.

lVhen the liquid in the tank 1 has reached the temperature for which the thermostat is set the thermostatic strip 45 moves up and away from the plunger 37 and allows the spring resisted valve that it controls to close. This cuts off the supply of gas to the burner 23 permitting the thermostatic strip 24 of the valve 13 to cool and serve to close this valve in the rilanner previously described. The system is now in position to repeat the cycle of operations just described. It will be noted in connection with this control that the presence of the pilot flames 8 is absol utely necessary in order to open the valve 13. In this manner escape. of unburned gas from the burner 6' is prevented and the only way in which the valve can ordinarily be opened is by ignitionof the pilot flames 8 if they, have been extinguished. I f

Due to the fact that the main supply valve 13 opens and closes'with asnap action','the

type of control herein shown may be safely By the use of a flame operated snap acting valve of the kind shown it is possible to conused may be connected in series to the gas line between the valve 13 and the burner 23.

As an example of such an arrangement the upper coil coupling could be a-dupllcate of the low-er coupling 16 carrying a second thermostat similar to the thermostat 20. Gas

from the valve 13 would be conducted by a conduit such as 21 through the upper thermoused with any type of gas burner as controlling the gas in this manner prevents flash backs and combustion in'the main burner mixing tube.

stat and then through the lower thermostat and to the burner 23 as shown. The lower thermostat could be set to close at a temperature low enough, say 120 F. to control-the normal operation of the valve 13. The upper thermostat could be set to close at, say 200 F. The upper thermostat would then function as a limit control and safety device, causing the valve 13 to close in the event the lower thermostat fails to operate at the desired temperature thereby allowing overheating of th water in the circulating coils 4. f

The location of the thermostat 20 is determined by the particular appliance and manner in which it is used. By varying the location of this, thermostat the operating characteristics' of the appliance may be changed to 7 By locating the pilotburner close to the lowercoupling that houses the thermostat,

the thermostat is more readily affected by the heat of this burner and its too frequent opening and closing is further prevented by the relation and postion of the aboi e parts.

While this type of control is particularly adapted to small domestic gas fired water heaters it may be used in connection with various types of liquid heaters which are automatically controlled and its use is not intended to bere'stricted to the particular type of appliance with which it is shown in connection in this disclosure. Q

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifi cations of said apparatus and procedure can be made Without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim u 1. A storage automatic water heater comprlsing, a gas burner, water circulating ele ments positioned above said gas burner, a storage tank in communication with said cir culating element, upper and lower coupling members for said circulating elements in communication with said tank, a thermostatic valve received in one of said coupling members, a second thermostatic valve adapted to be controlled thereby, a source of gas supply connected to said second thermostatic valve and leading therefrom to said gas burner whereby the opening and closing of said second thermostatic valve controls the gas supply to said burner.

2 A storage automatic water heater comprismg, a storage tank, a heater casing, circulating elements enclosed in said heater casing, a gas burner positioned below said circulating elements in said heater casing, a continuously operating pilot burner therefor, coupling members for said circulating elements the end portions of which project through said heatercasing, a thermostatic valve carried by said heater casing, a gas supply conduit connected to said thermostatic valve, means connecting said thermostatic valve to said burner, and means carried in one of said coupling mem bers to control the operation of said thermostatic valve to thereby admit and cut off the supply of gas to said main burner.

3. In a storage automatic Water heater, a main heating burner, a continuously operating pilot burner therefor, means to connect said pilot burner to a source of gas supply, a thermostatic valve to control the operation of said main burner, means to connect a source of gas supply to said main thermostatic valve and said burner, circulating coils positioned above said main burner, a storage tank coupling member for said circulating elements, means connecting said coupling members to said storage tank and means comprising a graduating thermostat carried by one of said coupling members to control the operation of said thermostatic valve.

4. In a storage automatic Water heater, a main heating burner, a continuously operating pilot burner therefor, means to connect said pilot burner to a source of gas supply, a snap action thermostatic valve to control the operation of said main burner, means to connect a source of gas supply to said thermostatic valve and said main burner, circulating coils positioned above said burner, a storage tank, coupling members secured to the extremities of said circulating coils, means connecting said coupling members to said storage tank, and means responsive to the temperature of thewater in one of said couplings and projecting therein to control the operation of said thermostatic valve.

' "5. A storage automatic water heater comprising a main heating burner, a sourceof gas supply therefor, a snap acting thermostatic valve to control the operation ofsaid gas burner, circulating elements adapted to be heated by said gas burner, a storage tank coil, coupling members connected to said circulating elements and adapted to be placed into communication with said storage tank, one of said coupling members having a side opening formed therein, av graduating thermostatic valve adapted for reception in said side coupling opening and adapted to control the operation of said thermostatic valve.

6. A water heater comprising, Water circulating element, coupling members carried on the ends of said circulating elements, a gas burner to supply heatto said circulating elements, said gas burner having an independent portion adaptedto support a pilot flame, an auxiliary burner adjacent said pilot burner, a thermostatic valve adapted to be operated from the heat of said auxiliary burner and means carried in one of said coupling members to control the flow of gas to said auxiliary burner.

7. A Water heater comprising, water circulating elements, coupling members carried on the ends of said circulating elements, a gas burner to heat said circulating elements, said gas burner having an independent portion adapted to constitute a pilot burner, an auxiliary burner adjacent said pilot burner, a thermostatic valve adapted to be operated from the heat of said auxiliaryburner, and means comprising a thermostat having a bimetallic thermostat element to control the flow of gas to said auxiliary burner.

8. A water heater comprising, water circulating elements. coupling members carried onthe ends of said circulating elements, a gas burner to heat said circulating elements said gas burner having an independent portion adapted to constitute a pilot burner, an auxiliary burner adjacent said pilot burner, a thermostatic valve adapted to be operated from the heat of said auxiliary burner, and means carried in one of said couplings consisting of an adjustable, readily removable and replaceable thermostatic valve to control the operation of said auxiliary burner.

9. A safety control for gas fired Water heaters and the like comprising, a flame actuated thermostatic main gas valve, a main gas burner controlled thereby, an auxiliary burner to provide a source of heat for the operation of said thermostatic main gas valve, an ignition pilot'burner positioned in lighting proximity to said main burner and said auxiliary burner, water heating elements adapted to be heated by said mam burner, and an auxiliary thermostat adapted-to control said auxiliary burner positioned in said elements at a point where its operation is influenced by the heat of said ignition pilot burner.

10. A water heater comprising, a storage tank, water circulating elements in communication therewith, coupling members fixedly secured to said elements to effect such connection, a gas burner to heat the contents of said circulating elements, a source of gas supply therefor, a pilot burner for igniting said gas burner, and means to control the fiow of gas to said gas burner including a thermostatic valve located in one of said coupling members where it is aliected at times by the heat of said pilot burner. Y

11. A water heater comprising, a storage tank, water circulating elements in communication therewith, coupling members fixedly secured to said elements to elfect such communication, a gas burner to heat the contents of said circulating elements, a source of gas supply therefor, apilot burner for igniting said gas burner, and means to control the flow of gas to said gas burner including a thermostatic valve located in one of said coupling members where it is aifected by the heat of said pilot burner when said gas burner is not in operation. 7

12. In a water heater, a storage container, water circulating elements, a gas burner, therefor, means including a thermostatic device for controlling the operation of said gas burner a coupling member secured to the lower extremity of said circulating elements having a pair of outlet openings formed therein, one of said openingsbeing adapted for the reception of said thermostatic device and the'other of said openings being adapted for detachable connection with said storage container.

13. In a water heater, a storage container, water circulating elements, a gas burner therefor, means including a thermostatic device for controlling the operation of said gas burner a coupling member secured to the lower extremity of said circulating elements having a pair of outlet openings formed bers of said circulating elements, and a thermostatic control device adapted for reception in oneuof said coupling members.

15. In a water heater, a casing, circulating elements, housed therein, coupling members for theends of said circulating element-s extending exteriorly of said casing, a storage tank having openings adapted to be placed in communication with the coupling members of said circulating elements, and a thermostatic control device adapted for detachable reception in one of said coupling members from a point outside of said casing.

16. In a valve, a' casing with inlet and outlet openings formed therein, valve actuating means, a carrying member adapted for reception in said .casing and adjustable therein with respect to said actuating means, and a unitary valve structure adapted to be assembled independently of the remainder of the valve and adapted for removable reception in said carrying member comprising, a sleeve'having a seat formed'on one end, a valve head cooperating therewith, a valve stem secured to said head extending through and projecting from the other end of said sleeve for contact engagement with said actuating means, and a spring in said sleeve engaging said valve stem and said sleeve to urge said valve head into engagement with its seat. a;

17. In a thermostatic valve, a casing with inlet and outlet openings formed therein,

sleeve for contact engagement with said actu- 1 i ating means, and a spring in said sleeve en gaging said valve stem and said sleeve to urge said valve into engagement with its seat.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

VINCENT J. EVANS.

therein, one of said openingsbeing adapted v for the reception of said thermostatic device and the other of said openings being adapted to effect communication between said cir-' culating elements and said storage container and apilot burner positioned-adjacent said coupling member and inlighting proximity to said main gas burner. r

14. In a water heater,.a heater casing, circulating elements housed therein, coupling members for the ends of said elements adapted for reception in and projecting through suitable openingsin said casing, a storage tank having openings adapted to be placed in communication with the coupling mem- Hill 

